7 Prayers for Your MarriageНамуна

GOOD COMMUNICATION

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Except they do.

Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). We can recall hurtful words spoken to or about us decades after they were first uttered. Childhood taunts or the careless words of a parent can reverberate in our minds in quiet moments. Words of an ex-spouse can creep into our thoughts without notice.

In Ephesians 4:29, the word “corrupting” can be translated as “rotten” or “putrid.” We would never think of eating rotten or putrid food, but if we are not careful, we can allow rotten words to flow out of our mouths. Our words not only hurt the person to whom they are directed, but they can cause harm to our marriage relationship.

This verse gives us an easy way to gauge how we speak to our spouse. Our words should build our spouse up, not tear them down. We should be our spouse’s biggest cheerleader, speaking words that encourage, support, affirm, and empower them.

We have the power to speak life to our spouse. It’s both our privilege and our responsibility.

Prayer

God of all truth, thank You for speaking to us through Your Word, through Your Spirit, and through other people. There is no limit to the ways You can speak to us. Thank You for hearing us when we pray. As a couple, we seek to communicate better with each other. Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Let us demonstrate our love in what we say to each other. Help us to sincerely listen to each other instead of thinking of what to say next. Guard us against reckless or hasty words; instead, let our words bring healing, wisdom, and peace. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts please You and honor each other. Amen.